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VulnerabilityPublished Updated

CVE-2026-31583: Linux kernel · media: em28xx: fix use-after-free in em28xx_v4l2_open()

Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database

0

Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High · fixed in 5.15.0-1112.119~20.04.1 : patch Linux kernel soon.

Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 17:16 UTC

CVSS 3.1 base score
7.8High
How severe the flaw is on the 0–10 CVSS scale.
EPSS
0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 2% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
Patch
Available – fixed in 5.15.0-1112.119~20.04.1, 5.15.0-1117.126~20.04.1, 5.15.0-1117.126~20.04.2 +72
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Exploitation evidence

  1. Disclosed: evidence found.

    CVE published 24 Apr 2026

  2. Detectable: no evidence on record.

    No public nuclei template indexed

  3. Weaponised: no evidence on record.

    No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB

  4. Exploited in the wild: no evidence on record.

    Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation

  5. Observed by OffSeq Mirage: no evidence on record.

    No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors

A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.

What to do

Upgrade to a fixed release listed under Affected software.

Affected software

ProductAffectedFixed in
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threatsAffected
  • <7.0.0-27.27
Fixed in
  • 7.0.0-27.27
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threatsAffected
  • <7.0.0-1008.8
Fixed in
  • 7.0.0-1008.8
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threatsAffected
  • <7.0.0-1010.10
Fixed in
  • 7.0.0-1010.10
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threatsAffected
  • <7.0.0-1009.9
Fixed in
  • 7.0.0-1009.9
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threatsAffected
  • <7.0.0-1007.7
Fixed in
  • 7.0.0-1007.7
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-ibmpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-ibm?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threatsAffected
  • <7.0.0-1009.9
Fixed in
  • 7.0.0-1009.9

Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.

AI-suggested

A patch is available and should be applied promptly. The fix involves updating the linux-aws kernel to a version that includes the corrected em28xx driver code, which moves the mutex lock before accessing dev->v4l2 and adds a NULL check. Users should follow the vendor advisory (Ubuntu USN-8488-1) to update their systems accordingly.

Description

A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's em28xx media driver (em28xx_v4l2_open) has been resolved. The issue arises from a race condition where dev->v4l2 is accessed without proper locking, leading to potential use-after-free and NULL pointer dereference scenarios. This flaw could allow local attackers to cause system instability or potentially escalate privileges. The vulnerability affects specific linux-aws kernel versions and has been addressed by moving the mutex lock before accessing dev->v4l2 and adding a NULL check. A patch is available and should be applied to mitigate the risk.

References

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